Joining the Bandwagon: Lato-Lato Frenzy among the Filipinos
As a kid, I grew up in a generation with a toy that would be the crowd’s favorite or as they say it, “uso”. During my time, they were jackstones, text (teks), pogs, goma, and even yoyo. And honestly speaking, kids in today’s generation do not get to experience this often.
Joining the Bandwagon: Lato-Lato Frenzy among the Filipinos
@_vincealarcon “LATO LATO”
♬ original sound – Vince Alarcon
But take lato-lato as different. Lato-Lato is a pair of plastic or wooden balls which is connected by a string that then creates a unique clacking sound. This took us all by surprise. Lato-Lato catches the heart and interest not just of Filipino Kids but all the kids at heart out there.
How to Play It
@jervanjervan Replying to @chloeann1006 how to play lato lato the proper way? #fyp #tiktokph #jervantriesit #jervan ♬ original sound – Jervan Jervan
Despite findings of its originality in the USA, Lato-Lato found its claim to fame again due to Indonesian TikTok trends. The rule of the game is simple yet complicated. The goal is to swing the toy in such a way the two plastic balls would knock together and would create a clacking sound. The player must maintain the clacking rhythm for the longest time in order to be considered the winner.
The Nostalgia It Brings
@ida_lc31 Playing my oldschool lato-lato #fyp #foryoupage #fypp #viral #latolato #oldschool #80s #90s #toy #lato ♬ Happy Day – 文武贝
As much as it is true that many adults find the sound irritating, many people expressed the fact that Lato-Lato evokes feelings of nostalgia. This is because, during their generation, they also get to experience playing Lato-Lato as well. As a result, they introduce this toy to their own children or to their younger relatives.
Cultural Significance
Unlike the kids today, we do not grow up with social media at the tip of our fingers. We need to go outside of our houses to play with our playmates for us to be entertained. And for children these days, this brings so much joy to them.
We must also take into consideration the fact that the onslaught of COVID-19 also caused Filipino children to not make the best out of their childhood. This is due to minimum health protocols such as physical distancing and even community lockdowns.
The Role of Social Media Exposure
It is mentioned that this craze started in Indonesian TikTok Trends but its popularity among Filipinos is also due to the local content creators and influencers. They shared their experience playing with the toy themselves on their own social media accounts, such as TikTok and Facebook.
@_kiitkeith #latolato ♬ original sound – キースKīsuuu
In addition, this also paved the way for many local competitions among Lato-Lato players in their respective communities. A great example of this is the Lato-Lato competition held at the Tourism Office of Cainta, Rizal. The said competition was flocked by children of all ages bringing their own Lato-Lato with them.
The Lato-Lato craze is one form of entertainment for children of all ages as a part of diversion from too much use or exposure to computer games according to the Cainta LGU Admin Head and Former Mayor Kit Nieto.
@abscbnnews Lato Lato competition at the Tourism office in Cainta Rizal. Cainta LGU Admin Head and Former Mayor Kit Nieto says Lato Lato craze is one form of entertainment for children or all ages as a part of diversion from too much exposure to computer games. | via Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News #FYP #NewsPH #SocialNewsPH #TikTokNews #ABSCBNNews #LatoLato #Cainta #Rizal ♬ original sound – ABS-CBN News
Toy Trends come and go and their popularity may fluctuate over time. However, this does not diminish the fact that we must enjoy traditional toys like Lato-Lato as a way to celebrate our cultural heritage and as a source of joy and entertainment.
